Former Gang of Four and Shriekback bassist Dave Allen Passed Away At 69

Dave Allen, the groundbreaking bassist known for his work with Gang of Four and Shriekback, passed away on Saturday at the age of 69. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but his former Gang of Four bandmate Hugo Burnham confirmed that Allen had been battling early-onset mixed dementia for several years.

The Birth of Post-Punk Brilliance

In 1977, not long after the band started, Allen joined Gang of Four. He helped them make their sound, which is known for being raw, rhythmic, and politically charged. His basslines were the backbone of the band’s important records, Solid Gold (1981) and Entertainment! (1979), both of which helped shape the post-punk scene.

From Gang of Four to Shriekback to Tech

Allen co-founded Shriekback and played on all five of their studio records, which mixed rock, funk, and new wave in exciting new ways after he left Gang of Four in 1981. He also started the record label World Domination in 1986, which gave him even more ways to express his creativity.

Allen was a leader in the music industry, but he also did well in technology, working at Intel, Beats Music, and Apple. From 2004 to 2008, he briefly got back together with Gang of Four. He stayed very involved with music until the day he died.

Hugo Burnham’s Full Tribute

Hugo Burnham paid tribute with a touching post on social media, writing:

“It is with broken yet full hearts that we share the news that Dave Allen, our old music partner, friend, and brilliant musician, died on Saturday morning.

He was at home with his family. Dave had endured the early-onset of mixed dementia for some years which has been a heartbreaking time for his wife Paddy, his children, and close friends. Our love and thoughts are with them.

Jon and I [Hugo] went to see him and spent a lovely afternoon with him and the family. We talked and laughed for hours, sharing rich and vivid memories of good times together. Adventures, careers in music, raising families, our interwoven lives spanning half a century.

We’ve been so very lucky to have had the Ace of Bass in our lives.

We know that Dave would have wanted nothing more than to step onstage with us again in Portland on our farewell US tour. But it’s now a bridge too far.

Goodbye, Old Friend.”

Dave Allen’s influence on punk, post-punk, and experimental music is lasting. He may be gone, but his basslines, ideas, and creative spirit will continue to inspire generations to come.